As businesses continue to adapt during COVID-19, part of your plan should include an ‘addendum’ to your employee handbook. Codifying business expectations for work and behavior during the pandemic will give employees direction and provide clarity. The information provided in the ‘addendum’ will also guide employee accountability.

Topics for the addendum will depend on your business but may include the following:

• COVID-19 Operating Protocols
  • Pandemic Response Team
  • Preventative Material Supplies
  • General Disinfection and Safety Measures
  • Deep Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol
  • Physical Distancing Protocol
  • On-Site Health Screening
  • Self-Quarantining and Return to Work Protocol
  • Visitor Restrictions
• Employee Training and Return to Work Protocol
• Telecommuting or Work-from-Home Policy
  • Work from Home Eligibility 
  • General Expectations for Telecommuting
  • Confidentiality
  • Security
• Paid Sick Leave
• Family and Medical Leave
• Hour Reductions
• Furloughs & Temporary Layoffs

Once an employee handbook ‘addendum’ is prepared, it should be reviewed by your attorney. When finalized, the addendum must be sent to employees for their signatures. 

In collaboration with Group50, we created a Reopening Your Business – Playbook, complete with resources such as a sample employee handbook ‘addendum’ and “Welcome Back” letter you can use for your employees. To download our Reopening Your Business – Playbook, please fill out the form below.

If your business needs assistance for your COVID-19 ‘addendum’, please contact Hackler Flynn and Associates.

DISCLAIMER: Content within this post should not be considered legal advice and is for informational purposes only. Communications made through this post do not create an attorney-client relationship. Hackler Flynn & Associates is not responsible for any content that you may access from third-party resources that may be accessed through or linked to this post. Hackler Flynn & Associates is only licensed to practice in California.